Type-bar action for type-writing machines.



PATENTED OCT. 15, 1907.

J. W. KENNEDY.

TYPE BAR ACTION FOR'TYPE WRITING MACHINES.

APPLICATION FILEDI'DEO. 30, 1903. RENEWED MAE. 4, 1907.

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PATENTED OCT. 15, 1907.

J. W. KENNEDY. TYPE BAR ACTION FOR TYPE WRITING MACHINES.

APPLICATION FILED 1330.60. 1903. RENEWED MAR. 4, 1907.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OF ICE.

JAMES W. KENNEDY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENT S, 'TO THE KENNEDY TYPEWRITER COMPANY TION OE NEW YORK.

OI MANHATTAN, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORA- TYPE-BAR ACTION FOR TYPE-WRITING MACHINES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 15, 1907.

Application filed ece ber 30, 1903, Serial No. 187,109. Renewed March 4:, 1907. Serial No. 360,499.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it knownthat I, JAMES W. KENNEDY, a subject of Great Britain, residing at Ohicago,.Cook county, Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in, Type-Bar Actions for Type-Writing Machines, of which the following is a complete specification.

This invention relates-to type-writing machines, and relates particularly to an improved type-bar action for such machines.

A primary object of the invention is to provide a I type-bar action of simple and durable construction in which desired movement will be imparted to the typebar, causing it to strike the platen with an impact of desired force, by. a relatively small depression or movement of the operating lever and with a relatively small force exerted on said operating lever.

An important advantage of a type-bar action of my invention over any type-bar of whichI have any knowledge, is that by means of my improved type-bar action I am enabled to produce desired movement of the typebars with a relatively small depression or movement of the operating levers, while retaining a bearing, preferably a cone bearing, of necessary size to insure fixed and perfect alinement of said type-bars and at the same time eliminating the system of intermediate sub-levers. heretofore commonly used in type-writing machines of standard makes for connecting the type-bars with their operating levers, using in place thereof a straight connection to said operating levers.

A further advantage arising from a type-bar action of my invention is that the type-bars are connected with their respective operating levers independently of the other type-bars, thereby making provision for separately disconnecting said type-bars, in case it is desired to remove one or more thereof. As' preferably constructed, the type-bars are mounted in pairs on separate hangers removably secured to a suitable support. By disconnecting the type-bars mounted on any hanger from their respective operating levers, provision is thus made for removing the same for any purpose desired, as for repairing or replacing any part thereof, without in any way disturbing any of the other type-bars.

A further advantage of a type-bar action of my invention is that I am enabled to materially shorten the operating levers, thereby effecting a considerable saving in niaterial therefor and of work in finishing the same.

A type-bar action of my invention consists of the various features, combinations of features and details of construction hereinafter described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings a type-bar action of my invention is fully illustrated.

.chine embodying my invention.

Figure 1 is a partial front view of a type-writing ma- Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the parts shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of one of the type bars and its operating connections; and Figs. 4 to 8, inclusive, are enlarged detailviews.

In the drawings, my invention is shown as embodied in a visible writing machine. This, however, is merely for the purpose of illustration, and asthe invention admits equally of embodiment in other forms of type- Writing machines, I do not desire to limit myself in this respect. Only those parts of the machine necessary to illustrate the invention are shown in the drawings.

Referring now to the drawings, 1 designates the posts and 2 the top-plate of the frame of a type-writing 'machine, and 3 indicates the platen thereof, shown substantially in its central position. The foregoing parts are old and well known in the art and may be of any usual or approved construction. The type-bars 4 are pivoted to hangers 5 detachably secured to a support 6 rigidly attached to a bar 7 secured to the under side of the top plate of the frame.

In order that the type-bars may be supported in perfect and permanent alinement, it is essential that the pivot bearings of the same be of considerable size or diameter. As shown, the type-bars 4 are provided with cone bearings of the familiar type comprising cones 8 and 9 formed, respectively, on the hangers 5 and on the under sides of the heads of screws 10, which pass through holes or openings in said type-bars and are threaded into said hangers, corresponding coneshaped recesses being provided on said type-bars, being preferably formed in hardened steel bushings 11 secured in suitable holes or openings in said type-bars. To insure free pivotal movement of the type-bars without lateral play, the engaging surface of the type-bar bearings are preferably lapped or ground to secure a perfect fit.

In order to prevent loosening of the screws 10, which would destroy the alinement of the type-bars, I prefer to provide means to lock said screws from turning. Simple means for this purpose, shown, consist of pieces 12, preferably pellets of lead, or the like, in-

serted between the ends of said screws and the ends of the holes into which they are threaded, the diameters of said pellets 12 being such that they will be slightly flattened by said screws in adjusting the typebar bearings. It is obvious, that said screws will thus be subjected to a strong endwise thrust which will prevent the same from working loose in the operation of the type-bars. In practice, I have commonly used bird shot for this purpose, the screws 10 being made of such lengths that, when set up to desired adjustbars.

ment, the ends thereof will be separated by a space slightly less than the diameter of said shot.

Pivotal movement may be imparted to the typebars by means of operating levers l3 to which said typebars are connected. As shown, the connection between the type-bars and operating levers is as follows 1 Pivotally supported adjacent to the pivotal points of the type-bars are lever arms 1.4, which are connected to rearward projections or heels 15 on the type-bars, the operative lengths of said lever arms 14 being greater than the lengths of the heels 15 on the type- As shown, the axis of the lever arms l4 are parallel with the axis of the type-bars to which they are respectively connected. The movement of said lever arms will thus be in planes parallel with those of their respective typo-bars. As shown, said lever arms 14 are connected to the heels 15 of said typebars by links 16 pivotally connected thereto. Any other desired or approved form of connection may, however, be substituted for that shown. The lever arms 14- are connected to the operating levers 1.3 by means of rods 17, said rods being pivotally connected to said lever arms between the pivotal points thereof and the points of connection of said lever arms to the type-bars.

It is obvious, that pivotal movement of the lever arms 14. will impart greater pivotal movement to the type-bars and that by properly proportioning the operative lengths of the lever arms Maud of the heels or projections 15 on the type-bars and the points at which the rods 17 are connected to said lever arms, any desired pivotal movement of the type-bars may be produced by a given depression or movement of the operating levers, while, at the same time, typebar bearings or desired size to insure perfect and permanent alinement are maintained. A further important advantage of this construction is that I am enabled to employ a substantially direct connection between the type-bars and the operating levers, while at the same time retaining type-bar bearings of desired size or diameter, which is an end for which manufacturers of type-writing machines have long striven, in order to eliminate the systems of sub-levers in common use for producing desired pivotal movement of the type-bars with a practical depression or movement of the operating levers. -.l have also found in practice that by means of my improved type-bar action that I am enabled to produce desired pivotal movement of the type-bars, together with an impact of desired force with a relatively small depression or movement of the operating levers at the point of connection of the rods 17 thereto. Due to this fact, I am enabled to materially shorten the lengths of the operating levers between the points of attachment of the rods ]7 thereto and their pivotal points or fulcrurns without correspondingly changing the length of the forward arm of said levers. In this manner I secure a greatly increased leverage, which compensates for the less of travel of the operating levers at the points of attachment of the rods 17 thereto, and am enabled to cause the type-bars to strike the platen with desired force by the application of a relatively slight pressure on tlre bperating levers.

In the preferable construction shown, the lever arms 14 are pivoted upon webs or extensions 18 on the hangers 5, said webs or extensions being made as thin as is consistent with necessary strength, in order to provide space between type-bars on adjacent hangers for the connections with the operating levers. As shown. said webs or extensions are substantially triangular in shape, the lever arms 14 being pivoted substantially at the apex of the outer angle and the interior of said wel is or extensions being cut away so as to form a skeleton structure. It is obvious that a support will thus be provided of great strength and which will be relatively very light.

As shown, the hanger support 6 is segmental in shape and extends transversely of the machine with its curved outer edge, to which the hangers 5 are secured. disposed downwardly, the type-bars 4, when in positions of rest. extending forward therefrom with their free ends normally resting in a basket 19. With this construction and relation it is obvious that the paths of movement of the different lever arms 14, being parallel with those of their respective type-lmrs, as heretofore stated, will be in different planes varying from substantially vertical planes, for the middle or lowermost typebars. to planes somewhat less than horizontal, say twenty degrees. for the extreme outside or uppermost type-bars.

In order that the greatest possible component of the force applied to the operating levers 123 may be ex pended in imparting pivotal movement to the type bars, it is essential that the pull exerted by the rods l7 on the lever arms 14 be in the planes of travel of the re spective lever arms, otherwise components will result tending to pull said lever arms sidewise, which, besides reducing the straight component of pull thereon, will also cause the bearings of said lever arms to bind and work hard.

A straight pull is exerted upon the lever arms by bending the upper ends of the rods 17 so that, norn'rally, they lie in the planes of movement of their respective type-bars, as shown at 20, and providing rigid stops on which the inclined upper ends 20 of said type-bars move as guides, converting the vertical movement of the operating levers into a reciprocating movement,

, which, for all practical purpose, are in the same planes as those in which the lever arms 14 move. As the planes of movement of the extreme or uppermost typebars are considerablybelow the horizontal, it is obvious that there will be no tendency for any of the bent upper ends 20 of the rods 17 to catch on their guide stops.

As shown, the guide stops for the rods 1.7 consist of pins 21 secured in proper position between. curved bars 22 supported outside of and preferably concentric with the hanger support 6. Said bars 22 form guides for the rods 17 operating to limit play thereof. In order to lessen friction, also, the pins 21 are provided with rollers on which the rods 17 move-thereby materially contributing to the ease of operation of the machine. The pin or roller 21 above or outside of any rod 17 operates to prevent said rod from jumping away from the pin or roller over which it is designed to play, thus insuring a uniform operation of the machine.

I claim as my invention 1. in a typewriting machine, the combination of a hanger support, a plurality of type-bar hangers supported thereon and detachably secured thereto. type-bars pivotally mounted on said hangers, webs or extensions on said hangers. lever arms pivoted upon said webs or exterisions on said hangers, links which connect said lever arms with said typebars, operating levers and connections be tween sai'd operating levers and said lever arms, substantially as described.

2. In a typewriting machine, the combination of a hanger support, a plurality of type-bar hangers supported thereon and detachably secured thereto, type-bars pivotally mounted on said hangers, webs or extensions on said hangers, lever arms pivoted upon said webs or exten sions on saidhangers, connection between said lever arms and said type-bars, operating levers, rigid bent rods which connect said operating levers with said lever arms and guides for the sections of said bent rods adjacent to said lever arms, substantially as described.

3. In a typewriting machine, the combination of a seg mental hanger support, a plurality of typebar hangers supported thereon and detachably secured thereto, type bars pivotally mounted on said hangers, Webs o1 extensions on said hangers, lever arms pivoted upon said webs or extensions on said hangers, connection between said lever arms and said type-bars, operating levers, rigid bent rods which connect said operating levers with said lever arms, a frame supported outside of said hanger support comprising guide pins for the oblique upper ends of said bent rods. substantially as described.

i. In a typewriting machine, the combination of a hanger-support, a plurality of type-bar hangers supported thereon and detachabIy secured thereto, type-bars pivotally mounted on both sides of said hangers, Webs or extensions on said hangers, lever arms pivoted to both sides of said webs or extensions on said hangers, connections between said lever arms and the type-bars respectively mounted on the same sides of the same type-bar hangers therewith, op-

erating levers and connection between said operating levers and said lever arms, substantially as described.

In a typewriting machine, the combination of a hanger support, a plurality of type-bar hangers supported thereon and detachably secured thereto, type-bars pivotally mounted on both sides of said hangers, webs or extensions on said hangers, lever arms pivoted toboth sides of said webs or extensions on said hangers, connection between each lever arm and the type bar mounted on the same side of the same hanger therewith, operating levers, rigid bent rods which connect said operating levers with said lever arms and guides for the oblique sections of said bent rods adjacent to said lever arms, substantially as described.

6. In a typewriting machine, the combination of a segmetal hanger support, a plurality of type bar hangers supported thereon and detachably secured thereto, type-bars pivoted on both sides of said hangers, webs or extensions on said hangers, lever arms pivoted to both sides of said webs or extensions on said hangers, connection between each lever arm and the type-bar mounted on the same side of the same hanger therewith, operating levers, rigid bent rods which connect said operating levers with said lever arms, a frame supported outside of said hanger support comprising guide pins for the oblique upper ends of said bent rods, substantially as described 7. A bearing for a pivoted member of a typewriting machine comprising an adjusting screw and a piece of lead or the like inserted between said screw and the endof the hole to which said screw is threaded, substantially as described.

8. A bearing for a pivoted member of a typewriting machine comprising an adjusting screw and a pellet of lead or the like inserted between said screw and the end of the hole to which said screw is threaded, substantially as described.

In testimony, that I claim the foregoing as my invention, Iafiix my signature in presence of two subscribing witnesses, this 24th day of December A. D. 1903.

JAMES W. KENNEDY.

, Witnesses ROBERT 1. BREWER.

E. M. KLATCHEN. 

